Emirates to make its debut entry into North East India

One of the world's fastest growing airlines, Emirates will operate six non-stop, direct flights per week between Dubai and Kolkata, the capital city of the state of West Bengal.

Emirates will operate an Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the route in three and two-class configurations.

The start of services to Kolkata will enhance Emirates' India network to a total of seven cities being served by 63 flights per week.

The announcement follows close on the heels of the airline's recent decision to fortify its network in South India by launching services to Thiruvananthapuram, and increasing its flights to Cochin and Chennai starting 1st February, 2006.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said:

'Emirates is delighted to offer its customers another exciting Indian destination. The start of Emirates flights to Kolkata is one more important milestone in the history of our Indian operations, as it signifies our entry in North East India.'

He added: 'Emirates and India go back a long way. The Dubai-based airline commenced its worldwide operations in October 1985 with Mumbai and Delhi as its first few on-line destinations. Over the years, the relationship with India strengthened as Emirates began serving new gateways in Southern India. This relationship is bound to grow stronger now as we begin services to North East India for the very first time.'

Emirates' services between Dubai and Kolkata will open up significant areas of the Middle East to Kolkata's business, leisure travel and air freight industries.

Kolkata's corporate sector keen to find new markets for their local products and services can take advantage of Emirates' 13-destination network in the Middle East.

Through Emirates SkyCargo, the new services are poised to help the export of leather products, silk fabrics and goods, tea, engineering spares and seafood to the Middle East, Europe and North America; and to support the local industry's needs for electronics, electrical and spare parts, and household goods.